ComPol Says Identities of Alleged Kidnappers Should Have Been Withheld

We also heard from the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, in Belmopan today, following the arraignment of the four accused. ComPol Williams told reporters that the department made a huge mistake when the photographs of the alleged perpetrators were released. He contends that public knowledge of their identities may lead to embarrassment and further victimisation of the woman.

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I know police in Belmopan are looking at that matter carefully. If I, I saw that our press office issued the photograph of the arrestees. I would not have done that. That was ill advised. I have not spoken to Ms. Hortence about it, but by issuing photographs of those persons arrested, it then takes the public back to who the victim is. The heinousness in which the crime was perpetrated against her, I am sure it is going to bring shame against her. People who know her husband seeing his picture on the news would know exactly who the person is. I don’t think that in an instance like this we should expose her the way we did.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Is there an argument for police releasing those images so that the public is aware of who to be cautious of?”

 

Chester Williams

“No, that cannot justify it. Like I said I cannot blame my press office because I did not advise them about it. It was after I saw the photographs were released that it came to my mind I should have spoken to Ms. Hernandez about it. It was already released so I just left it as that. But, I would want to think that in the future we should guard against those things.”